Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- radios:simoco_srm9000 [2023/05/07 19:38] – 2e0sip
+++ radios:simoco_srm9000 [2023/05/21 10:53] (current) – 2e0sip
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 One useful feature is stepped power outputs (1, 2, 2.5, 4, 5 etc) which might be useful for complying with ERP limitations without having to adjust factory calibration settings.
-**These still require further testing for 9600 baud packet radio**
+**Note: Despite considerable testing by Matthew 2E0SIP and reverse engineering and modifications from Denis G4KWT, the rev9 version of this radio is unreliable at 9600 baud. 1200 baud works fine, and 2400 baud performance looked okay but hasn't been thoroughly tested**
 ====== Models ======
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 | E0          | 66-88          |
 | AC          | 136-174        |
+| TK          | 400-450        |
 | TU          | 400-480        |
 | UW          | 440-500        |
-TODO: Finish this
 ====== Images ======
-TODO
+Front of the radio showing the RJ45 Mic / Control Head connector:
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_front.jpg?direct&600|}}
+Rear of the radio showing the DB15 Power and accessory connector and BNC connector fitted with a dust cap:
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_rear.jpg?direct&600|}}
+Top of the radio. Note the Blue Simoco branding and "P25 Upgradeable" text //might// indicate its a Revision 9 PCB, but thats TBC
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_top.jpg?direct&600|}}
 ====== Modifications ======
 ===== Revision 9 PCB =====
+Note: The modifications documented below improve performance at 9600 baud, but it's still unsatisfactory. They aren't required for 1200 baud operation and remain here for posterity.
 ==== Required Tools ====
@@ Line 39: / Line 51: @@
   * **Heatsink Compound** - To reapply to the PA after removal.
   * **330 Ohm 1005 SMD resistor** - To replace a removed resistor at a later date
+  * **220 Ohm 1005 SMD resistor** - To replace a removed resistor at a later date
-==== Receive ====
+==== Disassemble the Radio ====
-Didz / rickzero64 on the [[https://groups.io/g/simoco|Simoco Mailing List]] suggests a modification to the Audio Output to improve performance for MMDVM setups. The mode effectively duplicates one of the pins from an internal options connector to the external connector on the read of the radio. This example is for the TU UHF model but may apply to others.
+With a T10 Torx driver, unscrew the 12x black screws securing the plastic end caps to the aluminium body, and remove them. You will then need to slide out the Simoco label to expose 3 more screws underneath. Undo the 5 screws on the top of the radio and remove them, you should be able to then slide the PCB out in the direction of the RJ45 Mic connector to avoid smearing the heatsink compound on the inside of the radio. Once you've slid it out you can remove the PCB from the aluminium carrier. Watch out for the heatsink compound!
-First of all with a T10 Torx driver, unscrew the 12x black screws securing the plastic end caps to the aluminium body, and remove them. You will then need to slide out the Simoco label to expose 3 more screws underneath. Undo the 5 screws on the top of the radio and remove them, you should be able to then slide the PCB out in the direction of the RJ45 Mic connector to avoid smearing the heatsink compound on the inside of the radio. Once you've slid it out you can remove the PCB from the aluminium carrier. Watch out for the heatsink compound!
+==== Transmit ====
+Denis G4KWT came up with a mod for the Rev8 PCBs to improve Tx performance. Matthew 2E0SIP then updated it for the Rev9 PCB. The mod skips some stages of the audio chain to improve baseband performance.
-You will need to remove the 330 Ohm resistor that connects Pin 15 to the rest of the circuit. A blob of solder on the end of the soldering iron will remove it quite quickly. It's unlikely you'll see it again, so purchase some replacements if you're likely to want to reverse the mod in future.
+Firstly remove the 220 Ohm resistor on the bottom of the board that connects Pin 14 to the rest of the circuit. A blob of solder on the end of the soldering iron will remove it quite quickly. It's unlikely you'll see it again, so purchase some replacements if you're likely to want to reverse the mod in future.
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_tx_mode_resistor.jpg?direct&600|}}
+With the resistor removed, you can now add the bodge wire between a resistor on the board and the now disconnected pin 14. A conveniently placed hole in the board allows you to route the wire from one side of the board to the other fairly neatly.
+The area the Tx mod is applied to:
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_tx_wide.jpg?direct&600|}}
+Close up of where one end of the bodge wire needs to be added:
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_tx_close.jpg?direct&600|}}
+Bodge wire routing on the top side of the board:
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_tx_wire_top.jpg?direct&600|}}
+Completed bodge wire connected to Pin 14 (Rx mod also shown):
+{{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_tx_wire_complete.jpg?direct&600|}}
+==== Receive ====
+Didz / rickzero64 on the [[https://groups.io/g/simoco|Simoco Mailing List]] suggests a modification to the Audio Output to improve performance for MMDVM setups. The mode effectively duplicates one of the pins from an internal options connector to the external connector on the read of the radio. This example is for the TU UHF model but may apply to others.
+Firstly remove the 330 Ohm resistor on the bottom of the board that connects Pin 15 to the rest of the circuit. A blob of solder on the end of the soldering iron will remove it quite quickly. It's unlikely you'll see it again, so purchase some replacements if you're likely to want to reverse the mod in future.
 {{:radios:simoco_srm9000v9_rx_mod_resistor.jpg?direct&600|}}
@@ Line 66: / Line 107: @@
 I was able to read from the radio without a Mic / Control Head, or doing anything in particular to switch the radio "ON", however I got the warning "Radio does not contain a PMR configuration", presumably because it's new out of the box. Once I created a new config, it programmed fine.
@@ Line 100: / Line 140: @@
 The connector, looking into the radio
-| **Name**                | **Pin Number(s)** |
+| **Name**                | **Pin Number(s)** | **NinoTNC Pin** |
-| -VE (GND)               | 1, 2, 9, 10       |
+| -VE (GND)               | 1, 2, 9, 10       | 6               |
-| +VE (+13.8V)            | 4, 5, 11, 12      |
+| +VE (+13.8V)            | 4, 5, 11, 12      | N/A             |
-| Speaker                 | 6, 13             |
+| Speaker                 | 6, 13             | N/A             |
-| General Input (PTT/RTS) | 7                 |
+| General Input (PTT/RTS) | 7                 | 3               |
-| General Output (CD/CTS) | 8                 |
+| General Output (CD/CTS) | 8                 | N/A             |
-| Ignition Sense Input    | 3                 |
+| Ignition Sense Input    | 3                 | N/A             |
-| Audio Input             | 14                |
+| Tx Audio In             | 14                | 1               |
-| Audio Output            | 15                |
+| Rx Audio Out            | 15                | 5               |